Method and system for selectively controlling the operation of a power source

Abstract

The invention concerns a method ( 300 ) and system ( 100 ) for selectively controlling the operation of a power source ( 126 ). The method can include the steps of—in a first gaming unit ( 110 )—providing ( 314 ) a gaming environment, monitoring ( 316 ) a user's performance in the gaming environment and selectively controlling ( 318 ) a power capacity of the power source in response to the user's performance in the gaming environment. The power capacity can be a perceived power capacity. The selectively controlling step can include increasing ( 320 ) or decreasing ( 320 ) the perceived power capacity of the power source.

1 . A method for selectively controlling the operation of a power source, comprising the steps of: 
 in a first gaming unit, providing a gaming environment;    monitoring a user's performance in the gaming environment; and    selectively controlling a power capacity of the power source in response to the user's performance in the gaming environment.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the power capacity is a perceived power capacity and wherein the selectively controlling step comprises at least one of increasing and decreasing the perceived power capacity of the power source.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the power source includes a programmable memory and the method further comprises the step of recording in the programmable memory a perceived power capacity that is based on the user's performance in the gaming environment.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the perceived power capacity produces a cutoff threshold and the method further comprises the step of disabling the power source when an actual power capacity of the power source reaches the cutoff threshold.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of temporarily disabling the power source in response to a predetermined event in the gaming environment.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first gaming unit is part of a multi-player gaming environment, and the method further comprises the step of communicating adjustments in the power capacity of the power source to a second gaming unit, wherein the second gaming unit is part of the multi-player gaming environment.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the second gaming unit has a power source and the method further comprises the steps of: 
 exchanging power capacity credits between the first gaming unit and the second gaming unit; and    modifying the power capacity of the power source of the first gaming unit and the second gaming unit in response to the exchanging step.    
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of restricting the selectively controlling step to a time when the first gaming unit is actively operating the gaming environment.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the gaming unit is a wireless communication device, the power source is a rechargeable battery and the programmable memory is an electrically erasable programmable read only memory.  
   
   
       10 . A method for selectively controlling the operation of an accessory, comprising the steps of: 
 in a gaming unit, providing a gaming environment;    coupling the accessory to the gaming unit;    monitoring a user's performance in the gaming environment; and    selectively controlling the operational characteristics of the accessory in response to the user's performance in the gaming environment.    
   
   
       11 . A system for selectively controlling the operation of a power source, comprising: 
 a user interface section that provides a gaming environment;    a power source, wherein the power source provides power to the user interface section; and    a processing unit, wherein the power source also provides power to the processing unit and the processing unit is programmed to: 
 monitor a user's performance in the gaming environment; and  
 selectively control a power capacity of the power source in response to the user's performance in the gaming environment.  
   
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the power capacity is a perceived power capacity and wherein the processing unit is programmed to selectively control the power capacity of the power source by at least one of increasing and decreasing the perceived power capacity of the power source.  
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the power source includes a programmable memory and the processing unit is further programmed to record in the programmable memory a perceived power capacity that is based on the user's performance in the gaming environment.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the perceived power capacity produces a cutoff threshold and the system further comprises a switch for controlling power output from the power source, wherein the switch disables the power source when an actual power capacity of the power source reaches the cutoff threshold.  
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a transceiving section, wherein the user interface, the power source, the processing unit and the transceiving section are part of a first gaming unit, wherein the first gaming unit is part of a multi-player gaming environment and the transceiving section communicates adjustments in the power capacity of the power source to a second gaming unit, wherein the second gaming unit is part of the multi-player gaming environment.  
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the second gaming unit has a power source and wherein the first gaming unit and the second gaming unit exchange power capacity credits between one another and modify the power capacity of the power source of the first gaming unit and the second gaming unit in response to the exchange of power capacity credits.  
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the processing unit is further programmed to selectively control the power capacity of the power source only when the first gaming unit is actively operating the gaming environment.  
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the user interface, the power source and the processing unit are part of a wireless communication device, the power source is a rechargeable battery and the programmable memory is an electrically erasable programmable read only memory.  
   
   
       19 . A power source, comprising: 
 at least one cell, wherein the cells provide power to a gaming unit;    a memory, wherein the memory stores a power capacity of the power source and the power capacity is set by a processor of the gaming unit based on a user's performance in a gaming environment of the gaming unit; and    a switch coupled to the cells, wherein the switch selectively controls the output of the cells based on the setting of the power capacity in the memory.